News

Nationals will rescue community fruit fly program

01 November 2018

Victoria’s community fruit fly control programs will get an urgent $1 million lifeline under a Nationals Government.

Member for Euroa and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Steph Ryan said fruit growers were bitterly disappointed that the Andrews Labor Government had seemingly allowed funding for the community fruit fly traps program to lapse.

“These community trap programs work incredibly well and if the Nationals are elected we will make sure they continue,” Ms Ryan said.

“Growers told us that the next round of traps should be starting to be distributed but there are fears that’s just not happening and enquiries to department authorities are falling on deaf ears.

“If we are elected, we will make a priority funding allocation to the program to ensure it can complete its summer and autumn control activities.”

Ms Ryan said the horticulture industry was a critical part of the local economy and the community trapping program needed to continue.

“This program has been very well received by industry and our community, and it has shown what is possible when we all band together with the common goal of supporting our fruit growers,” Ms Ryan said.

“It’s in everyone’s interests to ensure our fruit growers continue to have access to export markets, because that valuable trade directly supports thousands of local jobs and businesses across the Euroa electorate.”